On March 8, Martha Williams was sworn in by Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Williams has been serving as the Principal Deputy Director, exercising the authority of the Director, since January 20, 2021; she previously served as the director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks from 2017 to 2020. Williams received her law degree through the University of Montana where she served as an assistant professor and co-directed the university’s Land Use and Natural Resources Clinic.

“Martha’s decades of experience in conservation, wildlife management, and natural resources stewardship have been a crucial asset as the Department of the Interior tackles the dual climate and biodiversity crises,” said Secretary Haaland. “Her strategic vision and collaborative approach will be key in her role as Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service and as the Department works to conserve, connect, and restore America’s lands, waters and wildlife for current and future generations.”